Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-28
THE FIRST MEETING.
fSrKR STATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
IN SESSION IN ATLANTA.
Order Of Proceedings Adopted -Examins-
tion Of Railroad Men asto How
Rates Are Made.
Try telegram 70 The pispa,ch. !

ATLANTA, April 27.--The Interstate
Commerce Commission began ats first
meeting here at 10 o'clock this morn
ing IN the City Council chamber. Judge
Cooley called the meeting to order and
stated that large number Of petitions
had been received from railroads IN
this part OF the country asking for ex-
ceptional orders under the interstate
commerce act. These orders could be
made only upon evidence taken before
the commission. He said awe have
come here 10 hear this evidence on the
part of those who urge exceptional or
dcrs and those who oppose them. The
evidence will be given under oath, just
rs II II were a judicial investigation.
AS the petitions are numerous and our
time Is limited we will have TO map ont
an order OF proceedings which will ex-
Pedite matters. IL is desirable that
persons and communities shall concen-
trate their views, petitions, and evil
dencc. We do not expect to examine
each petition by itself, but shall take
them up together, for the facts sustain
ing one petition are much the same as
those supporting others"
Governor Bullock asked the commits
sion to suspend the regular order of
business 80 that resolution adopted
last night by large meeting could be
presented Thereupon Major j. +.
Hanson, of Macon, read resolution
asking the commission to make perma-
nent its temporary suspension OF the
long and shOrt-haul section of the bill
with regard to southern lines.
The commission expressed desire TO
hear from the railways, and list of wit
nosses was given.
The first witness examined was
Charles A. Sindall, secretary OF the
Southern Railway and Steamship Asso-
citation. General 4. p. Alexander,
president Of the Georgia Central rail-
road, conducted the direct examina-
iiOn. The witness gave minute expla-
nations of how rates are made and
maintained by railroads and water
lines. He was cross-examined at great
length 10y Judge Cooley. Commission
ers Walker and Bragg. I. NJ. Emerson,
Of the Atlantic Coast Line. and w. p.
SheilmaD, of the Georgia Central road,
were examined on the same points at
Great length.
The commission then took a recess
I'LL ) p. M.
Mr.. Ogden, OF the Southern Railway
and Steamship Association, was the
next witness after the recess. and he
testified at great length touching the
difference between water rates aud land
rates.
Sol Haas, of Richmond, Va, was
The next witness sworn. In answer to
Mr.. Stahlman, the witness stated that
be WAS agent of the associated roads
of Virginia and the Carolinas.
What controls the rate ?"
THE trunk-lines and water-lines
control rates Oh these lines"
What is Your view Of the existing
rates from the West to Chattanooga,
Atlanta, and Augusta %
Il cannot answer this question intel
licently."
Have you heard any complaints
from local points
d" No, sir the only complaints made
have come from competitive points. y
Gould the rates TO Montgomery,
Birmingham, or Selma be changed ?"
The rates might, perhaps, be raised
a little, hut the roads would not make
any more money by it, because their
business would fall of"
J. NJ. Cup, Of the Louisville and
Nashville railroad, was the next sworn.
tie said that he was familiar with the
rates from the West to the South that
ocean competition determined these
mites.
Mr.. Stahlman asked about the rates
to various southern cities and wanted
to know if they are affected 10y water
competition.
Witness replied that they were.
What is tho reason for the lowering
Of rates b? ~
Competition does it"
Hsn't it true that large proportion
of the products OF the South have to
20 a long distance TO find market ? "
Yes, sir may say that nearly all
southern products have to go long
distance. Cotton, pig-iron, lumber,
etc. must go a long distance.
lis this not true of yellow pine from
Alabama and Georgia ? "
Yes. sir.
"Do Won know whether the pro
ducers OF pig-iron are satisfied with the
adjustment of rates? ?"
"Yes, sir that's, they were satisfied
until the lines north of the Ohio river
advanced their rates under the long
and short-haul section.
Commissioner Walker asked the wit
ness To state what was the rate from
Birmingham to Louisville on pig-iron
before the raising of rates.
1T was $3.50 ton; now 1t is -.
Mr.. Stahlman asked: Is not the
lumber, cotton, and pig-iron traffic
about all the exporting traffic from the
South ?"
Yes, sir; these articles constitute
about all the articles of export
Commissioner Bragg: "Do You know
the business of the roads north OF BAL
umore?" .,
"Tos. sir; | know i'll general way.
"Will YOU state the reason why
northern and southern roads cannot
make their rates III the same way
There are many reasons. one is
because of the greater volume OF bust
ness done by northern roads. Another
is that the rates of transportion are not
40 great.
Other railroad-men, sworn, united IN
showing that the differences IN rates
were either caused by rail competition
or the presence Of water transportation
vIoIatlng the Sunday Law In WASH
ingtOu.
~, .o,eyrarh 20 tho Diapatchl